DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15098#0230
258
This, to a certain extent, is already done by the hind legs, as
well as the near foreleg ; and we think that the whole motive
of the figure is to induce the horse to do the same thing with
the off foreleg ; we see him, therefore, with a firm hand upon
the bridle, reining up his horse to prevent his moving forward,
while with his right foot he is gently kicking his fetlock, that
the off leg may be advanced as far as the near leg.
That it was the practice of the Athenians to make their horses
lower themselves, in order to facilitate the mounting of the rider,
is evident from Xenophon, who recommends horsemen to acquaint
themselves with the art of making a horse stoop or lower himself,
that they may mount easily; though in this case he unfortu-
nately enters less into detail than usual, and does not state how
the act is to be performed.1
With this explanation, a posture which at first sight looks rather
awkward, forced, or conceited, becomes intelligible, natural, and
graceful. The mode in which it was usual to bear the broad
Thessalian hat when not required for use, as we frequently see it
represented upon ancient monuments, is here well expressed, and
adds much beauty to the figure. This slab has been unfortunately
composed of very bad materials, full of mica and other substances,
which have admitted the injurious influence of the weather, so
that much of the surface has mouldered away, leaving in many
places little more than the outline of the design. From what
remains undamaged, it does not appear that this portion of the
frieze was so well executed as most other parts.
1 Xenophon, rrepl lirTnunq, cap. vi. 16.
This, to a certain extent, is already done by the hind legs, as
well as the near foreleg ; and we think that the whole motive
of the figure is to induce the horse to do the same thing with
the off foreleg ; we see him, therefore, with a firm hand upon
the bridle, reining up his horse to prevent his moving forward,
while with his right foot he is gently kicking his fetlock, that
the off leg may be advanced as far as the near leg.
That it was the practice of the Athenians to make their horses
lower themselves, in order to facilitate the mounting of the rider,
is evident from Xenophon, who recommends horsemen to acquaint
themselves with the art of making a horse stoop or lower himself,
that they may mount easily; though in this case he unfortu-
nately enters less into detail than usual, and does not state how
the act is to be performed.1
With this explanation, a posture which at first sight looks rather
awkward, forced, or conceited, becomes intelligible, natural, and
graceful. The mode in which it was usual to bear the broad
Thessalian hat when not required for use, as we frequently see it
represented upon ancient monuments, is here well expressed, and
adds much beauty to the figure. This slab has been unfortunately
composed of very bad materials, full of mica and other substances,
which have admitted the injurious influence of the weather, so
that much of the surface has mouldered away, leaving in many
places little more than the outline of the design. From what
remains undamaged, it does not appear that this portion of the
frieze was so well executed as most other parts.
1 Xenophon, rrepl lirTnunq, cap. vi. 16.